Atmospheric water generation systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An atmospheric water generation system comprises water vapor consolidation systems configured to increase the relative humidity of a controlled air stream prior to condensing water from the controlled air stream. The water vapor consolidation system comprises a fluid-desiccant flow system configured to decrease the temperature of the desiccant to encourage water vapor to be absorbed by the desiccant from an atmospheric air flow. The desiccant flow is then heated to encourage water vapor evaporation from the desiccant flow into a controlled air stream that circulates within the system. The humidity of the controlled air stream is thereby increased above the relative humidity of the atmospheric air to facilitate condensation of the water vapor into usable liquid water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/437,471, filed Dec. 21, 2016; Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/459,462, filed Feb. 15, 2017; and Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/459,478, filed Feb. 15, 2017, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The amount of freshwater available for human consumption, plantirrigation, livestock and herd sustenance, commercial and/or industrialusage, and other purposes has generally been overtaken by the amount offreshwater needed for such purposes. Particularly in arid climatescharacterized by minimal annual rainfall and without access to otherfreshwater sources, maintaining an adequate amount of water for humanand/or animal consumption and usage has become increasingly expensive inrecent years. Processes such as desalination, water filtration and/orpurification, groundwater (e.g., aquifer) exploitation, and otherprocesses are often used in combination to supply freshwater to variousgeographical regions, depending on the relative availability and expenseof each water sourcing process.

Water shortages in certain geographical regions are also at leastpartially responsible for food shortages in certain areas of the globeas well. Where water is not readily available for crop irrigation andfor hydrating livestock, basic nutritional foods may be difficult tocultivate, and may be difficult or expensive to procure in an openmarket.

Accordingly, a need generally exists for processes that expand theavailability of freshwater, particularly in arid geographical areasand/or areas with no access to standing water or sub-surface water or inareas where such have become contaminated

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) processesand mechanisms for condensing large quantities of liquid water from air.Certain embodiments may be configured for generating usable quantitiesof water even in low humidity, arid geographical regions, therebyproviding water usable for crop irrigation, livestock and/or humanconsumption, commercial and/or industrial processes, and/or the like.

Certain embodiments are configured to compress source air (e.g., airretrieved from a surrounding environment) and/or to increase a humiditylevel of at least a portion of the source air to increase the efficiencyof the AWG condensation processes, specifically to maximize the amountof water extracted per unit volume of source air. The extracted watermay be provided to an integrated greenhouse configured for growingcrops, and the system may be paired with an integrated carbon dioxiderecovery/filtration system that may be utilized to extract carbondioxide from the source air, from an integrated power generation system(e.g., a hydrocarbon combustion-based power generation system) and tooptimize the carbon dioxide content of the air within the greenhouse.Moreover, power requirements of the AWG system may be met by one or morerenewable energy sources that may be utilized based on availabilityand/or based on the type of energy-consuming process needed. Forexample, solar and/or photovoltaic power generation (e.g., thermalenergy and/or electrical energy) may be utilized particularly forheating processes, and geothermal or other processes may be utilized forcooling needs of the AWG system.

Various embodiments are directed to an atmospheric water generationsystem comprising: a water vapor consolidation system configured toconsolidate water vapor into a controlled air stream and a condenserconfigured to condense water vapor into liquid water from a closed airstream. In certain embodiments, the water vapor consolidation systemcomprises: an atmospheric air intake mechanism defining an atmosphericair stream between an air intake and an air exhaust; a controlled aircirculation mechanism defining an air circulation loop, wherein the aircirculation loop is separated from the atmospheric air stream; and afluid desiccant circulation loop defining a closed desiccant circulationloop for a fluid desiccant, wherein the closed desiccant circulationloop intersects the atmospheric air stream and the closed aircirculation loop to extract water vapor from the atmospheric air streamand to evaporate water vapor into the air circulation loop.

In various embodiments, the fluid desiccant circulation loop comprisesat least one desiccant column configured to contact the fluid desiccantwith at least one of the atmospheric air stream and the air circulationloop. Moreover, the desiccant column may be configurable between: anabsorption configuration in which the atmospheric air stream flowsthrough the desiccant column to contact the liquid desiccant such thatthe liquid desiccant absorbs water vapor from the atmospheric airstream; and an evaporation configuration in which the air circulationloop flows through the desiccant column to contact the liquid desiccantsuch that water evaporates from the liquid desiccant into the aircirculation loop. Moreover, the fluid desiccant circulation loop mayadditionally comprise a liquid desiccant cooling mechanism configured tocool the liquid desiccant flowing through the desiccant column and aliquid desiccant heating mechanism configured to heat the liquiddesiccant flowing through the desiccant column; and wherein the fluiddesiccant solution may flow through the liquid desiccant coolingmechanism and the fluid desiccant heating mechanism is deactivated whilethe desiccant column is in the absorption configuration; and the fluiddesiccant solution may flow through the liquid desiccant heatingmechanism and the fluid desiccant cooling mechanism is deactivated whilethe desiccant column is in the evaporation configuration. The liquiddesiccant cooling mechanism may comprise a geothermal cooling mechanism.For example, the liquid desiccant solution may flow directly throughgeothermal cooling tubes, or the liquid desiccant solution may flowthrough a heat exchanger cooled by a cooling fluid that flows throughgeothermal cooling tubes. In certain embodiments, the liquid desiccantheating mechanism comprises a solar heating mechanism. For example, theliquid desiccant solution may flow directly through solar-heated tubes,or the liquid desiccant solution may flow through a heat exchangerheated by a heating fluid that flows through solar heated tubes.Moreover, in certain embodiments the atmospheric water generation systemfurther comprises a desiccant fluid swing tank configured to retain atleast a portion of the liquid desiccant while the liquid desiccantabsorbs water vapor.

In various embodiments, the fluid desiccant circulation loop comprisesan absorption desiccant column and an evaporation desiccant column,wherein: the absorption desiccant column is configured to contact thefluid desiccant with the atmospheric air stream; and the evaporationdesiccant column is configured to contact the fluid desiccant with theair circulation loop. In certain embodiments, the fluid desiccantcirculation loop additionally comprises: a liquid desiccant coolingmechanism located between the evaporation desiccant column and theabsorption desiccant column and upstream of the absorption desiccantcolumn, wherein the liquid desiccant cooling mechanism is configured tolower the temperature of the liquid desiccant flowing through theabsorption desiccant column; and a liquid desiccant heating mechanismlocated between the absorption column and the evaporation column,wherein the liquid desiccant heating mechanism is configured to heat thetemperature of the liquid desiccant flowing through the evaporationdesiccant column. The liquid desiccant cooling mechanism may comprise ageothermal cooling mechanism located upstream of the absorption column.For example, the liquid desiccant solution may flow directly throughgeothermal cooling tubes, or the liquid desiccant solution may flowthrough a heat exchanger cooled by a cooling fluid that flows throughgeothermal cooling tubes. In certain embodiments, the liquid desiccantheating mechanism comprises a solar heating mechanism located upstreamof the evaporation column. For example, the liquid desiccant solutionmay flow directly through solar-heated tubes, or the liquid desiccantsolution may flow through a heat exchanger heated by a heating fluidthat flows through solar heated tubes.

Moreover, in various embodiments the atmospheric water generation systemfurther comprises a membrane desorption system, wherein the membranedesorption system comprises a porous membrane separating the fluiddesiccant circulation loop on a first side of the porous membrane from aliquid water circulation loop on a second side of the porous membrane,and wherein the membrane desorption system is configured to migratewater from the fluid desiccant circulation loop through the membrane tothe liquid water circulation loop. The membrane desorption system may belocated between the absorption column and the evaporation column suchthat the liquid desiccant circulation loop moves from the absorptioncolumn, through the membrane desorption system, and into the evaporationcolumn.

In certain embodiments, the atmospheric intake mechanism comprises anair preconditioning system configured to cool the atmospheric air beforecontacting the fluid desiccant. Moreover, the fluid desiccant maycomprise at least one of aqueous lithium chloride or aqueous calciumchloride (or other ionic solutions capable of absorbing water).

In certain embodiments, the atmospheric water generation system maycomprise a plurality of separate desiccant solution loops, each of theseparate desiccant solution loops are configured to contact theatmospheric air stream and the closed air stream. In certainembodiments, the plurality of separate desiccant solution loops maycomprise a first desiccant solution loop comprising a first desiccantsolution at a first concentration, and a second desiccant solution loopcomprising a second desiccant solution at a second concentration. Incertain embodiments, the first desiccant solution may comprise lithiumchloride and the second desiccant solution may comprise calciumchloride.

Various embodiments are directed to a method for condensing water vaporfrom atmospheric air into liquid water. In certain embodiments, themethod comprises: flowing atmospheric air into contact with a richliquid desiccant solution such that the liquid desiccant solutionabsorbs water vapor from the atmospheric air to dilute the liquiddesiccant solution; flowing a closed air stream into contact with thediluted liquid desiccant solution such that water vapor evaporates fromthe diluted liquid desiccant solution into the closed air stream tocreate the rich liquid desiccant solution and to increase the humidityof the closed air stream; after increasing the humidity of the closedair stream, flowing the closed air stream through a condenser tocondense water vapor within the closed air stream into liquid water; andcollecting the liquid water condensed from the closed air stream.

In certain embodiments, the method further comprises steps for beforecontacting the atmospheric air with the rich desiccant solution, coolingat least one of the atmospheric air and the rich desiccant solution.Moreover, the method may further comprise steps for: before contactingthe closed air stream with the diluted liquid desiccant solution,heating the diluted liquid desiccant solution. In certain embodiments,flowing the atmospheric air into contact with the rich liquid desiccantsolution comprises flowing the atmospheric air and the rich liquiddesiccant solution into an absorption column; and flowing the closed airstream into contact with the diluted liquid desiccant solution comprisesflowing the closed air stream and the diluted liquid desiccant solutioninto an evaporation column; and wherein the diluted liquid desiccantsolution flows along a desiccant loop between the absorption column andthe evaporation column. Moreover, the desiccant loop may comprise aplurality of flow valves configured to selectably change the flow of theliquid desiccant solution, and wherein: flowing the atmospheric air andthe rich liquid desiccant solution into an absorption column maycomprise flowing fresh atmospheric air through the absorption column andclosing at least one valve to prevent liquid desiccant solution fromflowing through the evaporation column; and flowing the closed airstream into contact with the diluted liquid desiccant solution maycomprise flowing the closed air stream through the evaporation columnand closing at least one valve to prevent liquid desiccant solution fromflowing through the absorption column.

Certain embodiments are directed to an agricultural system configuredfor growing crops within a growth habitat. The agriculture system maycomprise an enclosed growth habitat comprising a plant growth mediumconfigured for supporting a plurality of crops; an atmospheric watergeneration system comprising: an atmospheric air intake systemconfigured to draw atmospheric air comprising water vapor into theatmospheric water generation system; an air preconditioning systemconfigured to cool the atmospheric air toward an air dew point; acondenser configured to condense water vapor within the cooled air intoliquid water; and a water storage reservoir configured to store theliquid water generated within the condenser; a water distribution systemconfigured to distribute the liquid water from the water storagereservoir within the enclosed growth habitat.

In certain embodiments, the air preconditioning system comprises ageothermal cooling system configured to cool the atmospheric air.Moreover, the geothermal cooling system may comprise a heat exchangerwithin a flow path of the atmospheric air, wherein the heat exchanger isconfigured to circulate a cooling fluid through the heat exchanger andthrough geothermal cooling tubes to cool the atmospheric air passingthrough the heat exchanger. The air preconditioning system mayadditionally comprise a vortex air cooler configured to cool theatmospheric air.

In certain embodiments, the enclosed growth habitat comprises a framesupporting a transparent covering material that defines the interior ofthe growth habitat, and wherein the covering material comprises one ormore photovoltaic elements configured to generate electricity whenexposed to sunlight. The covering material may additionally comprise oneor more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in electrical communication withthe one or more photovoltaic elements. The one or more LEDs may beembodied as plant growth lights.

In certain embodiments, the agricultural system further comprises acarbon dioxide capture system within the atmospheric intake system,wherein the carbon dioxide capture system is configured to lower thecarbon dioxide concentration within the atmospheric air. The carbondioxide capture system may be configured to direct at least a portion ofthe captured carbon dioxide into the growth habitat.

Certain embodiments are directed to a surface covering for an enclosedgrowth habitat. The surface covering may comprise: a first flexibleprotecting layer, wherein the first flexible protecting layer is one oftransparent or translucent; a second flexible protecting layer, whereinthe second flexible protecting layer is one of transparent ortranslucent; a plurality of photovoltaic elements forming aphotovoltatic array, wherein the photovoltaic array is positionedbetween the first flexible protecting layer and the second flexibleprotecting layer and is configured to collect sunlight through the firstflexible protecting layer; and a plurality of light emitting diode (LED)elements forming an LED array, wherein the LED array is positionedbetween the first flexible protecting layer and the second flexibleprotecting layer and is configured to emit light through the secondflexible protecting layer; and wherein the plurality of LED elementsreceive electrical power from the plurality of photovoltaic elements.

In various embodiments, the surface covering additionally comprises oneor more attachment members configured to secure the surface coveringrelative to a support frame of a growth habitat.

Moreover, the LED array may comprise a plurality of LEDs connectedwithin a circuit and arranged in parallel. In certain embodiments, thephotovoltaic array comprises a plurality of photovoltaic elementsconnected within a circuit and arranged in parallel. In certainembodiments, the LED array and/or the photovoltaic array may beflexible. Moreover, the surface covering may additionally comprise oneor more electrical connectors extending beyond the surface covering,wherein the one or more electrical connectors are configured to beconnected relative to additional surface coverings. In variousembodiments, the first flexible protecting layer and the second flexibleprotecting layer are configured to allow sunlight to pass through thesurface covering. The first flexible protecting layer may be securedrelative to the photovoltaic element array via an adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram an air preconditioning system andcondenser according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 2A-2B show schematic diagrams of a batch vapor consolidationsystem inline with a vapor condensation system according to oneembodiment;

FIGS. 3A-3B show a schematic diagram of a continuous vapor consolidationsystem inline with a water vapor condensation system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 is an example implementation of a vapor consolidation system withan agricultural module according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is another example implementation of a vapor consolidation systemwith an agricultural module according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an automated planting mechanism according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a surface covering according to oneembodiment; and

FIG. 8 shows an example view of a surface covering panel securedrelative to a support frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure more fully describes various embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood thatsome, but not all embodiments are shown and described herein. Indeed,the embodiments may take many different forms, and accordingly thisdisclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbersrefer to like elements throughout.

Overview

The AWG system utilizes a condensation coil and/or plate system forextracting water from air. During the water extraction process of theintegrated AWG process, humid air (having greater than 0% humidity) ispassed over/around/through cooled condensation surfaces (e.g., coils,plates, and/or the like) to lower the temperature of the humid air belowthe dew point, thereby causing water vapor within the humid air tocondense on the condensation surfaces. The condensed water is thendirected into a collection chamber (e.g., tank, basin, and/or the like)for storage and use.

In certain embodiments, the AWG system additionally comprises one ormore air compression mechanisms, air cooling mechanisms, or air humidityincreasing mechanisms to optimize the amount of water extracted from air(per unit of source air intake into the AWG system).

In certain embodiments, the AWG system may be integrated with one ormore carbon dioxide filtration/capture modules, one or more greenhousemodules, one or more power generation modules, and/or the like. Forexample, the source air intake into the AWG system may be routed througha carbon dioxide capture system prior to exhausting the dry,dehumidified air to the surrounding environment. The captured carbondioxide may be stored for later processing in a tank, or it may bereleased (e.g., in a monitored quantity) into one or more greenhousemodules to increase the carbon dioxide concentration within thegreenhouse to thereby increase crop growth efficiency.

Moreover, a power generation module, which may comprise one or morerenewable energy power generation systems, such as solar/photovoltaic,geothermal, and/or the like, or hydrocarbon-fuel based power generationsystems, may be integrated with the AWG system to provide neededelectrical and/or thermal energy inputs for the AWG processes. In theevent that such power generation modules generate carbon dioxide orother exhaust gases, the exhaust gases of the power generation modulesmay be routed through the carbon dioxide capture modules to decrease thecarbon dioxide production of the integrated system.

Atmospheric Water Resources

The atmosphere contains approximately 3100 cubic miles (mi³) or 12,900cubic kilometers (km³) of water. This quantity is roughly equivalent toall of the water held by the Great Lakes by volume. Water vapor as anatural resource is constantly replenished by the natural closed loophydrologic cycle, thereby providing a nearly limitless supply of waterthat may be extracted from air without adverse environmental impact.

Atmospheric Water Generation

The process of AWG comprises systems and methods for extracting watervapor from atmospheric source air by condensing the water vapor andcapturing the condensed, liquid water. Certain embodiments may becombined with carbon dioxide capture systems as discussed herein.Certain embodiments comprise steps for preconditioning and/orcompressing raw source air (e.g., air at atmospheric conditions) to easethe water extraction process, and/or condensing the water vapor trappedwithin the raw source air (e.g., by increasing the humidity of at leasta portion of the raw source air) to maximize the amount of water vaporthat may be extracted from a given unit volume of source air. Asdiscussed herein, processed source air is compressed, consolidated,and/or otherwise manipulated through one or more processes, for example,to ease the water extraction process.

Ultimately, various embodiments of the AWG process comprise condensationmechanisms through which source air (raw source air and/or processedsource air, as discussed herein) may be directed over one or morecondensation surfaces each having a surface temperature below the dewpoint of the source air. As the source air flows over and/or around thecondensation surfaces, the temperature of the source air adjacent thecondensation surfaces drops (e.g., through convective heat transfer),and water vapor within the source air condenses on the condensationsurfaces, and the condensed, liquid water flows into a storage vessel(e.g., a capture tank) and/or to one or more related modules (e.g., agreenhouse module) for immediate use.

Air Preconditioning

As noted above, raw source air may be preconditioned to ease the waterextraction process utilized to ultimately condense water vapor intousable liquid water. In certain embodiments, the preconditioning processmay comprise steps for compressing the air to increase the vaporpressure of the air (thereby biasing a greater volume of water to theliquid state rather than the vapor state) and/or to decrease thetemperature of the source air to a temperature nearer to the dew point.In certain embodiments, an air preconditioning system described hereinmay be utilized before and/or after a humidity increasing system, suchas a dessicant-based humidity increasing system as described herein.Moreover, the air preconditioning system may be utilized before and/orafter a carbon dioxide capture system as discussed herein.

As just one example, the air preconditioning process may comprise aseries of compressors/pumps, venturi valves, vortex valves, manifolds,and/or the like collectively configured to decrease the temperature ofthe source air closer to the air dew point and/or to increase thepressure of the air prior to removing water vapor from the air (e.g.,through condensation or absorption by a desiccant). For example, rawsource air may be drawn into the air preconditioning system via a vacuumpressure formed at an inlet via a compressor 101 (e.g., a turbine/blowercompressor having a plurality of stator or variable pitch turbine bladescontrollable via servo motors) and/or a centrifugal fan configured toincrease the raw air pressure entering the air preconditioning system.In certain embodiments, the compressor 101 and/or centrifugal fan may berotated via one or more electrical motors (which may receive electricalinput power from one or more power systems in communication with the airpreconditioning system) mechanically connected with the compressor 101and/or centrifugal fan via a gear transmission, a belt drive, a chaindrive, and/or the like.

In embodiments comprising a centrifugal fan, particulates, dust, andother heavy air contaminants are spun to the outermost edge of thecentrifugal fan and are removed from the air stream and ejected from theair preconditioning system.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the filtered air may bedirected into a carbon dioxide capture column 102, where it is passedover a fixed absorption bed configured to absorb carbon dioxide from theair, as discussed in greater detail herein. The carbon dioxide may beseparated and directed away from the air stream via a compressor 103.

In certain embodiments, the filtered air (with a reduced carbon dioxidecontent) may then directed further through the air preconditioningsystem into a primary manifold, where the air is divided at a selectedratio by a variable plenum/valve. From the primary manifold, a first airstream continues along a bulk air stream, and a second air stream isdirected to a vortex tube manifold as discussed herein.

The bulk air stream may proceed through one or more venturi valves eachconfigured to decrease the pressure and temperature of the bulk airstream (the volume and quantity of air remains constant across eachventuri valve while the pressure decreases, thereby causing thetemperature of the air stream to decrease proportionally to thetemperature) and/or through a precooler 104 (e.g., a heat exchanger witha cooling fluid passing therethough). After proceeding through the oneor more venturi valves and/or the precooler 104, the bulk air stream mayproceed to a temperature measurement portion, where the temperatures(e.g., dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures) of the bulk air stream aremeasured by one or more temperature measurement devices (e.g.,thermometers) to determine the dew point of the bulk air stream. Outputsfrom the temperature measurement devices may be utilized by a controllerto mix the bulk air stream with at least a portion of the vortex-chilledair stream to lower the temperature of the bulk air closer to the airdew point. For example, the controller may be in electroniccommunication with an electromechanical mixing valve that may beselectably opened or closed to vary the amount of vortex-chilled airthat is introduced into the bulk air stream. Based on the determineddry-bulb and/or wet-bulb temperatures (as monitored by the controller),the controller may transmit a signal to a motor to move theelectromechanical valve to a desired position to obtain a desiredmixture of vortex-chilled air with the bulk air stream.

The vortex-chilled air begins as the second stream of air exiting theprimary manifold. The second stream of air exits the primary manifold,and proceeds to a vortex tube manifold where it is pressurized (e.g.,via a compressor 105) to a sufficient pressure to achieve a drop intemperature of the air travelling through one or more vortex tubes 106of between approximately 70-150 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, the airmay be pressurized to at least approximately 70-120 PSI prior to beingdirected into the one or more vortex tubes 106. Each vortex tube 106comprises an entry port directing the stream of air tangentially into aninternal spin chamber. As air enters the spin chamber, the air takes onan angular momentum, causing dense, warm air to migrate towards anexterior perimeter of the spin chamber and out of an exhaust valve. Incertain embodiments, the warm air may be utilized to heat the carbondioxide capture column 102 as shown in FIG. 1. The remaining,vortex-chilled air migrates toward the center of the spin chamber andout of a vortex outlet. As mentioned above, the vortex-chilled air maybe mixed with the bulk air stream to lower the temperature of the bulkair stream closer to the dew point. As yet another alternative, thevortex chilled air may be utilized to chill the precooler 104 throughwhich the bulk air passes.

In certain embodiments, the mixed and chilled bulk air stream is thendirected into a condensation chamber 107, where the water vapor withinthe air is condensed into liquid water. As just one example, the bulkair stream may be directed over a series of condensation surfaces (e.g.,chilled plates, screens, tubes, and/or the like configured to lower thelocalized temperature of the air at the condensation surfaces below theair dew point, thereby causing the water vapor to condense on thecondensation surfaces. The condensed water may then be routed from thecondensation surfaces into a retention chamber 108 for collection andlater use. However, it should be understood that any of a variety ofcondensation mechanisms may be used. For example, as discussed herein,one or more desiccant-based condensation mechanisms may be utilized tomore effectively remove water vapor from the bulk air stream. Moreover,in certain embodiments the air-preconditioning system may be omitted,and raw air may be filtered and/or directed immediately into acondensation chamber. Such embodiments may have a lower input powerrequirement, and therefore the amount of power required for watergeneration may be decreased.

It should also be understood that certain preconditioning systemembodiments comprise one or more filters (e.g., fabric-based airfilters, non-woven based air filters, and/or the like), one or morerefrigerant systems (e.g., warm air is passed through a heat-exchangerto lower the temperature of the air closer to the dew point), and/or thelike in place of or in addition to the vortex and venturi valvemechanisms discussed herein.

Desiccant-Based Air Humidity Increasing System

As mentioned above, certain embodiments comprise one or more subsystemsconfigured to increase the humidity of a portion of the source air toincrease the amount of water that may be extracted from the source air.Specifically, water vapor may be extracted from a first, large quantityof source air, and may be reintroduced into a second, smaller quantityof source air, thereby consolidating the water vapor of the source airand increasing the humidity of the second quantity of source air beforethe water vapor in the second quantity of source air is condensed intoliquid water.

The desiccant-based air humidity increasing systems comprise at leastone air scrubber comprising a column of aqueous desiccant. The desiccantmay be selected from any of a variety of ionic solutions capable ofabsorbing water, such as lithium-chloride (LiCl), lithium-bromide(LiBr), Calcium Chloride (CaCl), triethylene glycol. and/or the like. Incertain embodiments, the desiccant solution may comprise a mixture of aplurality of ionic solutions, such as a mixture of LiCl solution andCaCl solution, The desiccant may be dissolved in water to provide ahighly concentrated desiccant solution that may be pumped (e.g., vialiquid pumps) through the at least one desiccant column.

Moreover, the amount of water vapor that may be absorbed by thedesiccant (and/or released by the desiccant into air) is dependent onthe vapor pressure and temperature of a closed system including theaqueous desiccant and air adjacent the desiccant column. Accordingly,various embodiments are configured to absorb water from the air into theaqueous desiccant while the vapor pressure in the closed system is highand the temperature is low, and those same embodiments are configured toevaporate water from the desiccant into air while the vapor pressure islow and the temperature is high.

Single Stage Batch Vapor Consolidation

The single stage batch vapor consolidation system utilizes a singledesiccant column that is configurable between an absorption phase and anevaporation phase. Because the functionality of the desiccant columnbetween the absorption phase and the evaporation phase is dependent atleast in part on the temperature of the closed system, the desiccantcolumn may be switched between the absorption phase and the evaporationphase based on the ambient temperature surrounding the system. Forexample, the system may operate in the absorption phase during lowtemperature time periods (e.g., during a night time) and may operate inthe evaporation phase during high temperature time periods (e.g., duringa day time).

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a single-stage batch vapor consolidationsystem according to various embodiments. Each figure highlights thefluid flow path during each of the absorption and evaporation phases,respectively. The single-stage batch vapor consolidation systemcomprises an air scrubber including an aqueous desiccant column 201, adesiccant swing tank 202 configured to hold excess desiccant solution, awater tank configured to hold retrieved water 203, and one or moreliquid and/or air heat exchangers.

During low-temperature ambient periods (e.g., night-time hours betweensunset and sunrise), the single-stage vapor consolidation system mayoperate in an absorption phase, during which water vapor from ambientair is absorbed into the aqueous desiccant solution passing through thedesiccant column. Prior to beginning the absorption phase, the desiccantsolution is highly concentrated, such that the desiccant solution ishighly receptive to absorbing additional water. As the absorption phaseproceeds, air having entrained water vapor is passed through thedesiccant column 201 (e.g., with a turbulent flow) to contact the airwith the desiccant solution. Water vapor within the air is absorbed bythe desiccant solution, which causes the humidity of the air to drop(such that dry air exits the desiccant column), the volume of thedesiccant solution to increase, and the concentration of the desiccantsolution to decrease. Excess desiccant solution from the desiccantcolumn 201 is stored within the swing tank 202, which has an availablevolume greater than the volume of the desiccant column 201.

In certain embodiments, the desiccant column 201 may be embodied as amembrane-separated desiccant column, having a desiccant flow path on afirst side of a porous membrane, and an air flow path on an opposite,second side of the porous membrane. Separating the air flow path fromthe desiccant solution flow path may impede undesirable mass flow of thedesiccant salt itself into the air flow path and ultimately out of theAWG system. Water may be absorbed by the desiccant solution from the airbased on osmotic water flow through the membrane from the air to thedesiccant solution. Water vapor may condense on the second side of themembrane, travel through the membrane pores through capillary action,and be absorbed by the high-salt content concentrated desiccantsolution.

Based on the mass and heat transfer from the air to the desiccantsolution, the temperature of the desiccant solution increases as wateris absorbed. Accordingly, the desiccant solution is circulated throughan absorption loop highlighted in FIG. 2B, including the desiccantcolumn 201 and a cooling recirculation loop configured to maintain thetemperature of the desiccant solution at the ambient temperature of thesystem or below. In certain embodiments, the desiccant solution may becirculated through the swing tank 202 as a part of the coolingrecirculation loop.

Any of a variety of cooling mechanisms may be utilized in the coolingrecirculation loop. For example, the cooling recirculation loop maycomprise a dual-fluid heat exchanger 204 (e.g., a shell and tube heatexchanger; a counter-flow heat exchanger; and/or the like) in which theliquid desiccant solution flows through a first fluid flow path, and acooling fluid (e.g., a refrigerant, a cooled air, and/or the like) maypass through a second fluid flow path, such that heat from the liquiddesiccant may be passed to the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid may bemaintained at a desired cooling temperature via a traditionalrefrigeration cycle, via geo-thermal cooling, and/or the like. As yetanother example, the liquid desiccant may pass through a geo-thermalcooling loop 205 (e.g., by directing the liquid desiccant through aseries of underground conductive tubes that enables heat to pass fromthe liquid desiccant to the ground), and/or the like.

The absorption phase of the single-stage vapor consolidation system maybe stopped when the ambient temperature begins to rise (e.g.,approximately sunrise) and/or when the desiccant solution becomes supersaturated, such that the desiccant solution at least substantially stopsabsorbing additional water from air passing through the desiccant column201. In certain embodiments, concentration of the desiccant solution maybe monitored by a control system, and the control system may halt theabsorption phase by stopping the various fluid pumps, air fans, and/orthe like from moving various fluids through the system upon determiningthat a trigger event occurs. In certain embodiments, the trigger eventmay be identified as a threshold desiccant concentration within thedesiccant solution (e.g., once the desiccant solution concentrationdrops below a threshold value, the controller may stop the absorptionphase), a threshold rate of concentration change (e.g., the desiccantsolution concentration decreases by less than a threshold amount over aset period of time), and/or the like. The trigger event may be based onother characteristics of the single-stage vapor consolidation system,such as the temperature of the desiccant solution (e.g., the temperatureof the desiccant solution increasing beyond a threshold value), thetemperature (dry bulb and/or wet bulb) of the source air (e.g., thetemperature of the ambient air surrounding the system increases beyond athreshold value), the volume of the desiccant solution increases above athreshold value, and/or the like.

Once the absorption phase is stopped, the single-stage vaporconsolidation system moves the desiccant solution out of the coolingrecirculation loop and into the swing tank 202. In certain embodiments,at least a portion of the desiccant solution within the desiccant column201 is pumped into the swing tank, such that a majority of the desiccantsolution resides in the swing tank after the absorption phase isstopped. In certain embodiments, at least 85% of the desiccant solutionis pumped into the swing tank 202 after the absorption phase is stopped.

The single-stage vapor consolidation system may be switched to anevaporation phase. In certain embodiments, the single-stage vaporconsolidation system may be switched to the evaporation phase upon thedetection of a trigger event by a controller. For example, once theambient air temperature surrounding the single-stage vapor consolidationsystem increases above a threshold temperature, once the concentrationof the desiccant solution decreases below a threshold concentration,and/or the like, the single-stage vapor consolidation system may switchinto the evaporation phase. In various embodiments, the single-stagevapor consolidation system is configured to switch directly between theabsorption phase and the evaporation phase. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that any of the trigger events noted above as being used todetermine the end of the absorption phase may be used (e.g.,simultaneously and/or consecutively) to begin the evaporation phase.

However, it should be understood that in certain embodiments thesingle-stage vapor consolidation system may be configured to enter astand-by phase between the end of the absorption phase and the beginningof the evaporation phase. For example, the single-stage vaporconsolidation system may be configured to enter the stand-by phase uponthe detection of a first trigger event (e.g., the concentration of thedesiccant solution decreases below a threshold level) and thesingle-stage vapor consolidation system may be configured to begin theevaporation phase (thus ending the stand-by phase) upon the occurrenceof a second trigger event (e.g., the ambient temperature surrounding thesingle-stage vapor consolidation system increases above a thresholdlevel).

During the evaporation phase, air within the single-stage vaporconsolidation system is circulated in a closed loop as shown in FIG. 2B,such that water vapor evaporated from the liquid desiccant does notleave the single-stage vapor consolidation system.

As the air circulates through the closed loop of the single-stage vaporconsolidation system, the low-concentration desiccant solution is pumpedthrough a closed loop from the swing tank 202, past/through a heater206, and through the desiccant column 201 of the scrubber. In certainembodiments, the swing tank 202 and/or the desiccant column 202 maycomprise a heater 206 as shown in FIG. 2B, such that a separate heatingmechanism is unnecessary. However, it should be understood that theheater mechanism may be embodied in any of a variety of forms that maybe implemented as a part of the swing tank 202, a part of the desiccantcolumn 201, or as a separate mechanism located within the closed loop ofthe desiccant flow. For example, the heater may comprise a resistanceheater having a heating element positioned within the flow path of theliquid desiccant. As yet another example, the heater may comprise adual-fluid heat exchanger, in which the liquid desiccant flows through afirst fluid flow path and a heating fluid (e.g., a heated gas, a heatedliquid, and/or the like) flows through a second flow path such that heatfrom the heating fluid is transferred (e.g., via conductive heattransfer) to the liquid desiccant. As a specific example, the heatexchanger may comprise a shell and tube heat exchange, a plate heatexchanger, or a counter-flow heat exchanger. In such embodiments, theheating fluid may be heated using any of a variety of heatingmechanisms, such as a resistance heater having a heater element withinthe fluid flow of the heating fluid, a solar-heater in which the heatingfluid flows through a series of solar-heated tubes that absorb radiantand/or convective ambient heat, and/or the like.

As yet another example, the desiccant solution may flow through a solarheater 207 comprising a series of solar-heated tubes that absorb radiantand/or convective ambient heat, and/or the like to heat the desiccantsolution to a desired temperature.

The heating mechanism of the closed-loop desiccant flow path may beconfigured to heat the temperature of the liquid desiccant solution tolower the vapor pressure of the closed system of air and liquid withinthe desiccant column. In certain embodiments, the heating mechanism isconfigured to heat the desiccant solution to a steady-state temperatureof at least about 65-95 degrees Celsius.

The evaporation phase of the single-stage batch vapor consolidationsystem may operate as a desalination system to remove water from thedesiccant solution. As air and heated desiccant solution pass throughthe desiccant column 201, water from the desiccant solution evaporatesinto the air, thereby increasing the concentration of the desiccantsolution while simultaneously increasing the humidity of the air. Thismass transfer causes the temperature of the desiccant solution todecrease, and the heating mechanism is configured to maintain thedesiccant solution at a desired elevated temperature.

As discussed in greater detail herein, the elevated-humidity air may bedirected through a condensation chamber 208 as a part of the closed-loopair flow path to condense water from the air to lower the humidity ofthe air and to collect the water as a usable liquid within the watertank 203. This simultaneously enables the collection of usable water andmaintains the humidity level of the air at a desired low level tomaintain a low vapor pressure within the desiccant column to encouragewater to evaporate from the desiccant solution.

In certain embodiments, the condensation chamber 208 may comprise a heatexchanger configured to lower the temperature of the increased-humidityair exiting the desiccant column 201 closer to the dew point of the airto increase the rate of condensation once the air enters thecondensation chamber 208.

Various embodiments may additionally comprise a membrane desalinationsystem 209 inline with the desiccant closed loop flow path. In themembrane desalination system 209, the desiccant flow path may flow pasta first side of a membrane, such that the desiccant solution contactsthe membrane as it travels along the desiccant flow path. The membranemay separate the desiccant solution flow path from a water flow path forwater collected from the condensation process described herein. Thewater flow path may pass a second side of the membrane such that thewater contacts the second side of membrane as it flows along the waterflow path.

The membrane may comprise a porous membrane, such as non-woven membranehaving a small pore size. As just one example, the membrane may compriseexpanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). As the desiccant solution andthe water flow past opposite sides of the membrane, water moleculesmigrate from the high-salt content desiccant solution through themembrane (via capillary action), to the water flow.

The membrane desalination system 209 may be positioned between the swingtank 202 and the desiccant column 201, such that the desiccant solutionfirst passes through the membrane system before entering the desiccantcolumn 201. Accordingly, a first quantity of water may be removed fromthe desiccant solution at the membrane system before the desiccantsolution enters the desiccant column for evaporation of additional watertherefrom.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the single-stage batch vapor consolidationsystem may be a part of an AWG system comprising one or more airpreconditioning systems and/or carbon dioxide capture systems. Forexample, the air preconditioning system may be located upstream of thesingle-stage batch vapor consolidation system, such that source airentering the AWG system first passes through the air preconditioningsystem prior to entering the single-stage batch vapor consolidationsystem.

In certain embodiments, the AWG system may comprise an airpreconditioning system as discussed above between the single-stage batchvapor consolidation system and the condensation chamber.

Single Stage Continuous Vapor Consolidation

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a single-stage continuous vapor consolidationsystem according to an example embodiment. The single-stage continuousvapor consolidation system is configured to continuously absorb waterfrom air in an absorption desiccant column 500 and to simultaneouslyevaporate water into air in a second, evaporation desiccant column 550.The absorption desiccant column 500 is in fluid connection with theevaporation desiccant column 550 (e.g., via a series of closable valves,such that desiccant solution may flow between the absorption desiccantcolumn 500 and the evaporation desiccant column 550 as needed. In short,the desiccant solution absorbs water from air entering the system via anair input 501 while in the absorption column 500, and the diluteddesiccant solution then exits the absorption column at a solution exit502 passes through a series of fluid conduits and enters into theevaporation column 550 at a diluted input 551, where water in thedesiccant solution is evaporated into a closed air stream. Theconcentrated desiccant solution exits the evaporation desiccant columnat a rich solution exit 552 and travels into to the absorption column ata rich solution entrance 503 for another cycle. As shown in the figures,the various conduits may be optionally be closed to create closed loopsystems at the absorber column 500 and the evaporation column 550,respectively.

As noted, the single-stage continuous vapor consolidation systemcomprises an absorption scrubber including an absorption desiccantcolumn 500, and an evaporation scrubber including an evaporationdesiccant column 550. In certain embodiments, the absorption desiccantcolumn 500 operates at a low temperature (e.g., a temperature lower thanan ambient temperature) to facilitate absorption of water vapor from air(passing through the absorption desiccant column 500 from air entrance501 to air exit 504) into the desiccant solution. Accordingly, asconcentrated desiccant solution is moved toward the absorption column500, the desiccant solution may pass through a cooling recirculationloop to maintain the temperature of the desiccant solution at a desiredtemperature (e.g., at an ambient temperature or below an ambienttemperature). The cooling recirculation loop may have a configurationsimilar to the cooling recirculation loop discussed above.

As just one example, concentrated desiccant solution moving toward theabsorption column 500 (e.g., exiting the evaporation column) may bedirected through a series of geothermal tubes having heat transferproperties with surrounding ground beneath the AWG system. Theconcentrated desiccant solution may directly pass through the series ofgeothermal tubes, or the concentrated desiccant solution may passthrough a dual-fluid heat exchanger opposite a cooling fluid that ismaintained at a desired low temperature via geothermal cooling. As yetanother example as shown in FIG. 3A, the desiccant solution may passthrough a heat exchanger (e.g., a shell-and-tube heat exchanger) to coolthe desiccant solution. The heat exchanger may be cooled via a coolingsolution that passes through a refrigeration circuit and/or other fluidchiller 506 to absorb heat from the desiccant solution before thedesiccant solution enters the absorption column 500.

As yet another example, the single-stage water consolidation system maybe positioned proximate a high-pressure gas well, such as proximate anatural gas well, an oil well (where natural gas is extractedsimultaneously with oil), and/or the like. The high pressure gas may bedirected through one or more expansion valves to regulate and/ordecrease the pressure of the incoming gas, which, through theJoules-Thompson effect, experiences a rapid temperature decrease(following the gas law formula, the pressure of the gas rapidlydecreases across the valve while the volume and amount of gas remainssubstantially constant, thereby causing a proportional rapid temperaturedecrease across the expansion valve). The expanded and super-cooled gasmay be passed through a heat exchanger 505 opposite the concentrateddesiccant solution, thereby absorbing heat from the concentrateddesiccant solution and decreasing the temperature of the desiccantsolution prior to entry into the absorption column 500 as described inreferenced Provisional Application No. 62/459,462, filed Feb. 15, 2017and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The expanded gasmay then be directed away from the AWG system, where it may be collectedfor future use, flared off, utilized for power generation (e.g., via asteam turbine), and/or utilized to heat the desiccant solution enteringthe evaporation column, as discussed herein.

The absorption column 500 of the single-stage continuous vaporconsolidation system may operate in a manner similar to the absorptionphase of the single-stage batch vapor consolidation system describedabove. As mentioned, prior to entry into the absorption column 500, thedesiccant solution is highly concentrated, such that the desiccantsolution is highly receptive to absorbing additional water. As thedesiccant solution passes through the absorption column 500, air havingentrained water vapor is simultaneously passed through the absorptioncolumn (e.g., with a turbulent flow) to contact the air with thedesiccant solution. Water vapor within the air is absorbed by thedesiccant solution, which causes the humidity of the air to drop (suchthat dry air exits the desiccant column), the volume of the desiccantsolution to increase, and the concentration of the desiccant solution todecrease. As the volume of the desiccant solution increases (and itsconcentration decreases) excess desiccant solution is directed towardthe evaporation column 550 discussed herein. In certain embodiments, theabsorption column 500 may be configured to create a concentrationgradient of desiccant solution therein, such that highly concentrateddesiccant solution enters through a solution input 503 proximate a firstend of the absorption column 500 (e.g., a top of the absorption column500), moves through the absorption column 500 and simultaneously absorbswater (thereby decreasing the concentration of the desiccant solution asit moves), and ultimately exits the absorption column 500 at a lowerconcentration at a solution exit 502 proximate a second end of theabsorption column 500 (e.g., a bottom of the absorption column 500)opposite the first end. The absorption column 500 thereby has aconcentration gradient between a high concentration portion at the firstend and a lower concentration portion at the second end, such that lowconcentration desiccant solution exits the absorption column 500 to bedirected to the evaporation column 550, while the desiccant solution isconstantly replenished with high concentration desiccant solution withinthe absorption column 500.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3A, the absorption column 500 may be a partof a selectably closed loop for the desiccant solution, which may bepumped through the absorption column 500 and a cooling heat exchanger505 in a continuous loop, without entering the evaporation column 550.The closed loop may be configured to enable the desiccant solution toabsorb more water prior to entering the evaporation column 550. In suchembodiments, the closed loop may be opened (e.g., by a controllersystem) upon the occurrence of a trigger event (e.g., upon measuring adesired desiccant solution concentration within the closed loop) asdiscussed in greater detail herein to enable the desiccant solution tomove to the evaporation column 550.

Like the desiccant column discussed in the single-stage batch vaporconsolidation system, the absorption column 500 may be embodied as amembrane-separated absorption column, having a desiccant flow path on afirst side of a porous membrane, and an air flow path on an opposite,second side of the porous membrane. Separating the air flow path fromthe desiccant solution flow path may impede undesirable mass flow of thedesiccant salt itself into the air flow path and ultimately out of theAWG system. Water may be absorbed by the desiccant solution from the airbased on osmotic water flow through the membrane from the air to thedesiccant solution. Water vapor may condense on the second side of themembrane, travel through the membrane pores through capillary action,and be absorbed by the high-salt content concentrated desiccantsolution.

As yet another example, the absorption column 500 may have a structuredpacking configuration defined by a plurality of corrugated bafflesstacked within the column and positioned in alternating orientations(each orientation rotated by 90 degrees relative to adjacentorientations). The corrugated baffles create a highly tortuous fluidflow path for the desiccant solution and the air, thereby increasing theoverall available surface area of the desiccant solution exposed to theair within the column. This configuration maximizes the amount of watervapor absorbed by the desiccant solution passing through the absorptioncolumn 500.

As discussed above, the absorption column 500 may selectably operate ina closed loop, such that desiccant solution may be repeated recirculatedthrough the cooling loop and the absorption column 500 until thedesiccant solution reaches a threshold concentration. Accordingly, acontrol mechanism may be in communication with one or more sensorswithin the absorption column 500 (or external to the absorption columnbut within the closed absorption column loop) to monitor theconcentration of the desiccant solution within the absorption columnloop. Once the controller determines that the desiccant solutionconcentration has dropped to or below the threshold concentration level,the controller may send operational signals to one or more valves todirect at least a portion of the desiccant solution from the absorptioncolumn loop toward the evaporation column 550, and to direct a higherconcentration desiccant solution from the evaporation column 550 intothe absorption column loop. The controller may be configured to maintainthe various valves in the open configuration until the measuredconcentration of the desiccant solution within the absorption column 500rises to or above a threshold concentration level, at which time thecontroller may transmit operational signals to the various valves toclose those valves and to reform the closed absorption loop. In certainembodiments, air may be continuously directed through the absorptioncolumn 500 regardless of whether the absorption loop is closed or open.However, in certain embodiments, the air flow may be passed through theabsorption column 500 only while the absorption loop is closed, and theair flow may be blocked from entering the absorption column 500 whilethe absorption loop is in the open configuration. In such embodiments inwhich the absorption column 500 may be selectively operated in a closedloop, the single-stage continuous vapor consolidation system mayadditionally comprise a swing tank configured to support excessdesiccant solution volume as the concentration of the desiccant solutiondecreases and the absorption loop remains closed.

Diluted desiccant solution that exits the absorption column 500 (or theabsorption loop) is directed toward the evaporation column 550 wherewater is evaporated from the desiccant solution into a closed airsystem. To facilitate evaporation of the water from the desiccantsolution, the diluted desiccant solution may be heated prior to and/orwhile present within the evaporation column 550. For example, theevaporation column 550 may include an embedded heater 553 (e.g., aresistance heater) configured to maintain the desiccant solution at adesired minimum temperature to facilitate evaporation of water from thedesiccant solution. As yet another example, the desiccant solution maypass through a heating system prior to entry into the evaporationcolumn. For example, the heating system may comprise a solar heatingsystem 560 configured to utilize radiant and/or convective heat from theambient environment to heat the desiccant solution to encourage waterevaporation once the desiccant solution is within the evaporation column550. In certain embodiments, the desiccant solution may pass through aseries of solar-heated tubes (e.g., tubes having one or more solarcollectors associated therewith to heat the tube and the fluid withinthe tube based on collected radiant solar energy) or the desiccantsolution may pass through a dual-fluid heat exchanger 561 (e.g., ashell-and-tube heat exchanger) opposite a heating fluid, wherein theheating fluid is heated from a series of solar-heated tubes. In certainembodiments, the solar heating mechanism 560 may be supplemented by anelectrical heater, a combustion heater (e.g., using expanded gas fromthe gas-expansion cooling mechanism discussed above), and/or the like,particularly during night-time system usage or when solar power isotherwise unavailable.

In various embodiments, the heating mechanism of the desiccant flow pathmay be configured to heat the temperature of the diluted desiccantsolution to lower the vapor pressure of the fluid while the desiccant ispresent within the evaporation column 550. In certain embodiments, theheating mechanism is configured to heat the desiccant solution to asteady-state temperature of at least about 65-95 degrees Celsius.

The evaporation column 550 may operate as a desalination column toremove water from the desiccant solution. As air and heated desiccantsolution pass through the desiccant column 550, water from the desiccantsolution evaporates into the air, thereby increasing the concentrationof the desiccant solution while simultaneously increasing the humidityof the air. The air passing through the evaporation column may be a partof a closed air loop (with no air exiting or entering the closed loop)such that evaporated water from the diluted desiccant solution is notlost to the surrounding environment. In such embodiments, the air withinthe closed loop may enter at a dry air inlet 554, pass through theevaporation column 550, and exit as humid air at a humid air outlet 555.

In certain embodiments, the absorption column 500 and the evaporationcolumn 550 may be part of a continuous loop for the desiccant solution,such that the desiccant solution constantly flows from a first end ofthe absorption column 500 (where it enters as a high concentrationsolution) through the absorption column 500 (thereby absorbing water asit flows therethrough), and exiting the second end of the absorptioncolumn 500 as a diluted desiccant solution. The diluted desiccantsolution may then flow through a heating mechanism where it is heated,and then into a first end of the evaporation column 550. The desiccantsolution may then flow through the evaporation column 550, where it isconcentrated due to water evaporation, and then out of a second end ofthe evaporation column 550 as a concentrated solution. The desiccantsolution may then pass through a cooling mechanism and back into thefirst end of the absorption column 500. As the desiccant solution iscirculated between the absorption column 500 and the evaporation column550, two air flow streams may be passed through respective columns. Afirst, open air flow stream may be constantly circulated through theabsorption column 500, with source air pulled from the ambientenvironment, passed through the absorption column 500, and exhausted tothe environment as dry processed air. Simultaneously, a closed air flowstream may be cycled through the evaporation column 550, where itabsorbs water from the diluted desiccant, and then through acondensation chamber 570 (as discussed herein) where water is condensedand ultimately collected in a water tank 571 from the humid air.

In certain embodiments, the single-stage continuous vapor consolidationsystem may comprise a membrane desalination system inline and upstreamfrom the evaporation column 550 or instead of an evaporation column 550.In the membrane desalination system, the desiccant flow path may flowpast a first side of a membrane, such that the desiccant solutioncontacts the membrane as it travels along the desiccant flow path. Themembrane may separate the desiccant solution flow path from a water flowpath for water collected from the condensation process described herein.The water flow path may pass a second side of the membrane such that thewater contacts the second side of the membrane as it flows along thewater flow path.

The membrane may comprise a porous membrane, such as a non-wovenmembrane having a small pore size. As just one example, the membrane maycomprise ePTFE. As the desiccant solution and the water flow pastopposite sides of the membrane, water molecules migrate from thehigh-salt content desiccant solution through the membrane (via capillaryaction), to the water flow. Accordingly, as the diluted desiccantsolution passes through the membrane system prior to entry into theevaporation column 550, a first quantity of water is removed from thedesiccant solution at the membrane system before the desiccant solutionenters the evaporation column 550 for evaporation of additional watertherefrom.

Like the absorption column 500, the evaporation column 550 may beselectively operated in a closed loop, such that desiccant solution maybe repeated recirculated through the heating mechanism and theevaporation column 550 until the desiccant solution reaches a thresholdconcentration. Accordingly, a control mechanism may be in communicationwith one or more sensors within the evaporation column 550 (or externalto the evaporation column but within the closed evaporation column loop)to monitor the concentration of the desiccant solution within theevaporation column loop. Once the controller determines that thedesiccant solution concentration is raised to or above the thresholdconcentration level, the controller may send operational signals to oneor more valves to direct at least a portion of the desiccant solutionfrom the evaporation column loop toward the absorption column 500, andto direct a lower concentration desiccant solution from the absorptioncolumn 500 (e.g., the absorption column loop) into the evaporationcolumn loop. The controller may be configured to maintain the variousvalves in the open configuration until the measured concentration of thedesiccant solution with the evaporation column 550 falls to or below athreshold concentration level, at which time the controller may transmitoperational signals to the various valves to close those valves and toreform the closed evaporation loop. In certain embodiments, air may becontinuously directed through the evaporation column regardless ofwhether the evaporation column loop is closed or open. However, incertain embodiments, the air flow may be passed through the evaporationcolumn only while the evaporation column loop is closed, and the airflow may be blocked from entering the evaporation column while theevaporation column loop is in the open configuration.

Moreover, in certain embodiments the operation of the various valves foropening and closing the absorption column loop and the evaporationcolumn loop may be synchronized, such that the loops are simultaneouslyin the open configuration or simultaneously in the closed configuration.In such embodiments, the trigger events for opening and/or closing theevaporation and absorption column loops may be based on a concentrationmeasured within only one column loop (e.g., based on the measuredconcentration of the desiccant solution within the absorption loop orbased on the measured concentration of the desiccant solution within theevaporation loop). In other embodiments, the trigger event foropening/closing the various valves may be based on measuredconcentrations of the desiccant solution within both the absorption loopand the evaporation loop. For example, the controller may be configuredto open the valves to pass desiccant solution between the evaporationcolumn and the absorption column upon determining that either thesolution concentration within the evaporation column rises to/above athreshold value or the solution concentration within the absorptioncolumn falls to/below a threshold value. As yet another example, thecontroller may be configured to open the valves to pass desiccantsolution between the evaporation column 550 and the absorption column500 upon determining that both solution concentrations within theevaporation column and the absorption column satisfy respectivethresholds.

Similarly, the controller may rely on measurements of one or bothsolution concentrations within the evaporation loop and/or theabsorption loop when determining when to close the valves to separatethe desiccant solution between the respective absorption loop and theevaporation loop.

In certain embodiments, the single-stage continuous vapor consolidationsystem may be part of an AWG system comprising one or more airpreconditioning systems. For example, the air preconditioning system maybe located upstream of the absorption column, such that source airentering the AWG system first passes through the air preconditioningsystem prior to entering the absorption column. Moreover, the AWG systemmay comprise an air preconditioning system as discussed herein betweenthe evaporation column and the condensation chamber.

An example system may be configured for producing at least approximately180 gallons of water per day based on an ambient air temperature of 95°F. and an ambient relative humidity level of 30%. Ambient air may beprovided to the absorption column at a flow rate of at leastapproximately 2800 cubic feet/minute to pass through a packed columndirecting a rich lithium chloride solution having a concentration ofbetween about 38-45 wt % (e.g., about 40 wt %). Water may be absorbed bythe lithium chloride solution and the concentration of the lithiumchloride solution may fall to a lean concentration level of about 38-40wt % (e.g., about 38.6 wt %) before the desiccant solution is directedout of the absorption column. During the absorption process, theabsorption column may be maintained at a temperature of at leastapproximately 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lean desiccant solution may be heated and directed to an evaporationcolumn operating at a temperature of at least approximately 180-190degrees Fahrenheit to evaporate the absorbed water into a closed loop ofair. The air may then be passed to a condensation chamber, where watervapor is condensed into liquid water at rate of at least approximately180 gallons/day.

The above-mentioned example system may additionally comprise a carbondioxide capture system as discussed in greater detail herein. In suchembodiments, the air flow of approximately 2800 cubic feet/minute may bepassed through the carbon dioxide capture column, and at leastapproximately 1.1 tons of carbon dioxide may be captured per day. Thequantity of carbon dioxide produced, water generated, and air flow rateare interrelated, such that an adjustment to any one of these rates willchange the others.

Multi-Stage Continuous Vapor Consolidation

The multi-stage continuous vapor consolidation system is configured toabsorb water from air in one or more absorption desiccant columns and tosimultaneously evaporate water into air in one or more evaporationdesiccant columns similar to those discussed above. For example, themulti-stage continuous vapor consolidation system may be configured astwo or more single-stage continuous vapor consolidation systemsoperating in parallel, and together with a single condensation system.In certain embodiments, a single evaporation column may be in fluidcommunication with two or more absorption columns such that a singledesiccant solution may be passed through all of the absorption columnsin series and/or in parallel. The plurality of absorption columns maycomprise a first, high concentration absorption column and a second, lowconcentration absorption column. The high concentration absorptioncolumn may comprise highly concentrated desiccant solution (e.g.,desiccant solution passed immediately from the evaporation column),while the low concentration absorption column may comprise lowerconcentrated desiccant solution (e.g., at least a portion of thedesiccant solution from the high concentration absorption column maypass through the lower concentration absorption column).

Moreover the plurality of absorption columns may be arranged in serieswithin the air flow path, such that source air may be pulled from theenvironment and passed through the plurality of absorption columns inseries prior to being exhausted back to the environment as dry air. Forexample, the source air may be first passed through the lowconcentration absorption column to absorb a first quantity of water fromthe air, then may be passed through the high concentration absorptioncolumn to absorb a second quantity of water from the air. Because theinitial absorption requires less energy (and does not require a lowvapor pressure between the air and the liquid desiccant), the initialabsorption using the lower concentration desiccant solution enablesabsorption of a first quantity of water from the air. After the initial,low energy requirement absorption process is completed, the air (whichstill contains water vapor) is passed through the second absorptioncolumn having a higher concentration desiccant solution, such that asecond quantity of water is absorbed from the air. The now dry (e.g.,low humidity) air may then be exhausted from the system to theenvironment.

On the desiccant side, once the diluted desiccant exits the lowconcentration absorption column, the desiccant solution passes to anevaporation system as discussed herein, where the desiccant solution isheated and passed through an evaporation column where water isevaporated into a closed air flow loop.

In certain embodiments, each absorption column may be in fluidcommunication with a corresponding evaporation column, and eachabsorption column—evaporation column pair may comprise separatedesiccant flow loop. For example a first quantity of desiccant solutionmay flow between a first absorption column and a first evaporationcolumn, and a second desiccant solution may flow between a secondabsorption column and a second evaporation column, and the firstquantity of desiccant solution does not mix with the second quantity ofdesiccant solution. In certain embodiments, the first quantity ofdesiccant solution may comprise a first desiccant (e.g., LiCl) and thesecond quantity of desiccant solution may comprise a second desiccant(e.g., CaCl).

Moreover, in embodiments comprising a plurality of independent desiccantflows, each desiccant flow may have a different concentration range. Forexample, a first desiccant flow (e.g., corresponding to a firstabsorption column passed through by source air) may have a firstconcentration range measured between a high concentration value at anexit of the evaporation column and a low concentration value at an exitof the absorption column; and a second desiccant flow may have a secondconcentration range. As the source air is directed through theabsorption columns in series, the air may be directed through a lowconcentration range absorption column first, and may be directed througha high concentration range absorption column second.

In various embodiments, each of the absorption column—evaporation columncombination may operate in a manner similar to that discussed above inrelation to the single-stage continuous vapor consolidation system.

Condensation Process

Processed air (which may comprise air exiting the preconditioning systemand/or air exiting one or more humidity increasing systems) may bepassed through a condensation chamber as discussed herein to condensewater vapor in the air into usable liquid water.

The condensation chamber may be embodied as a heat exchanger (e.g., across-flow heat exchanger) or another chamber having a series of chilledcondensation surfaces on which water vapor condenses into liquid water.For example, the condensation chamber may comprise a series of tubesand/or coils (e.g., metallic tubes and/or coils) in which the processedair passes through. The exterior surfaces of the tubes and/or coils arechilled (e.g., by a refrigerant, a super-cooled gas, a cooled liquid,and/or the like) such that water in the processed air condenses on theinterior surfaces of the tubes and/or coils. In such embodiments, thetubes and/or coils may be angled, such that the condensed water streamsout of the tubes and/or coils and into a retention chamber.

As yet another example, the condensation chamber may comprise a seriesof chilled tubes and/or coils (e.g., having super-cooled gas,refrigerant, cooled liquid, and/or the like flowing through the interiorof the chilled tubes and/or coils), and the processed air may run acrossthe exterior surface of the chilled tubes and/or coils such that watercondenses on the exterior surfaces of the tubes and/or coils.

It should be understood that the condensation surfaces may have any of avariety of shapes and/or configurations.

As mentioned, condensed water flows off of the condensation surfacesinto a retention chamber. The retention chamber may comprise one or morewater catch trays positioned under the condensation surfaces andconfigured to capture water dripping off of the condensation surfaces.The water catch trays may be angled toward a holding reservoirconfigured to hold a volume of water collected via the condensationprocess. In certain embodiments, the holding reservoir may comprise oneor more water outlets in fluid communication with liquid conduitsleading to one or more external systems, such as agricultural systems,potable water systems, and/or the like.

Carbon Dioxide Process

Processed air (which may comprise air exiting a water consolidationsystem as discussed herein) may be passed through a carbon dioxidecapture system prior to exhaustion to the atmosphere. The carbon dioxidemay be captured from the air for filtration and/or disposal (e.g.,through one or more chemical processes to convert the carbon dioxideinto water, oxygen, and/or a solid or liquid composition that may bedisposed of; through capture of the carbon dioxide in a filtrationmedia; and/or the like).

As shown in the illustrative example of FIG. 1, the carbon dioxidecapture system may comprise a carbon dioxide capture column 102 having afixed bed of a carbon dioxide absorbing material (e.g., a sodiumhydroxide solution). As air is passed over the carbon dioxide absorbingmaterial, the carbon dioxide is absorbed by the material. Moreover, asshown in FIG. 1, the carbon dioxide capture column 102 may be heated(e.g., with a hot fluid jacket) to facilitate increased carbon dioxideabsorption by the absorbing material.

As yet other examples, the carbon dioxide capture material may beconfigured to reversibly absorb the carbon dioxide, such that thecaptured carbon dioxide may be compressed and stored as a gas for lateruse.

In certain embodiments, captured carbon dioxide gas may be directed to agreenhouse to optimize the internal greenhouse environment for plantgrowth. As discussed herein, the greenhouse may be supplied by watergenerated by the AWG system discussed herein.

Power Generation Processes

Certain embodiments of the foregoing AWG system may incorporate one ormore power-consuming components, such as air blowers, gas/aircompressors, liquid fluid pumps, resistance heaters, monitoringcomputing devices, and/or the like. These components (as well as otherpower-consuming components of various embodiments) may receiveelectrical power from one or more integrated power generation mechanismsof the described system. As noted above, certain embodiments may beoperated proximate hydrocarbon fuel wells, and off-gases (e.g., naturalgas) from those fuel wells may be combusted and utilized to generatepower through energy-generating turbines (e.g., steam turbines). As yetanother example, various embodiments may comprise one or more solarheat-generating mechanisms as discussed above, and these solar-heatgenerating mechanisms may additionally comprise one or more electricalenergy generation mechanisms for converting solar energy into storageelectrical energy (which may be stored via one or more batteries,uninterruptable power supplies (UPSs), and/or the like.

Moreover, the AWG system and/or power generating aspects of the AWGsystem may be associated with a greenhouse or other agricultural systemfor facilitating plant growth (e.g., consumable plant growth). Thus, thepower generation systems may be configured to provide electrical powerto various aspects of the agricultural system, such as heating/coolingmechanisms for air within the greenhouse, air circulation blowers withinthe greenhouse, artificial growth lights within the greenhouse,water/irrigation pumps within the greenhouse, agricultural robots (e.g.,planters, harvesters, and/or the like) within the greenhouse, and/or thelike.

As just one example, a solar canopy material 10 may be provided as acovering material of a plant growth habitat as discussed in greaterdetail herein. The solar canopy 10 may be embodied as a transparent ortranslucent sheet configured to enable sunlight to pass through thesolar canopy 10. However, it should be understood that the sheet may beopaque in certain embodiments to prevent external light from passingthrough the solar canopy material 10. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the solarcanopy may additionally comprise photovoltaic elements 13 (e.g.,patches, strips, and/or the like) embedded within the solar canopy 10.Those photovoltaic elements 13 may be configured to convert radiantsunlight into electrical energy that may ultimately be stored via one ormore batteries, or utilized in one or more electrical circuits that maybe embedded within the solar canopy 10. For example, the solar canopymay additionally comprise one or more light emitting diode (LED) lightsources 12 embedded therein that may be configured for providing light(e.g., ultraviolet light) to plants within the plant growth habitat. TheLEDs may be directional such that light may be provided in a fixeddirection relative to the LED, or the LEDs may be omnidirectional, suchthat light is emitted around the entire perimeter of the LED.

As a specific example, the solar canopy material 10 may be embodied as amulti-layer flexible sheet (e.g., a plastic sheet, a fabric sheet,and/or the like) that may be draped or otherwise secured over a frame 20of a plant growth habitat. The solar canopy material 10 may be at leastsubstantially transparent or translucent, and may be configured to allowultraviolet light to pass through the solar canopy material 10. Thesolar canopy material 10 may have a high tensile strength, and may beresistant to tears and/or punctures. In certain embodiments, the solarcanopy material 10 may comprise one or more reinforcing threads, tapes,and/or the like embedded within the solar canopy material. For example,the reinforcing threads, tapes, and/or the like may comprise Kevlarthreads, metallic threads, and/or the like.

In certain embodiments, the solar canopy material 10 comprises a firstprotective sheet 11 defining a top surface of the solar canopy material10, and/or a second protective sheet 14 defining a bottom surface of thesolar canopy material 10. In certain embodiments the first protectivesheet 11 and/or second protective sheet 14 may comprise a woven material(e.g., a woven fabric, woven carbon fiber, and/or the like), a non-wovenmaterial (e.g., a high-strength plastic membrane), and/or the like. Incertain embodiments, each of the first protective sheet 11 and/or secondprotective sheet 14 may individually comprise a plurality of layers,including, for example, one or more covering layers defining theoutermost layers of the solar canopy material 10, a reinforcing layer(e.g., comprising the one or more reinforcing threads, tapes, and/or thelike), and/or the like.

The first protective layer 11 and/or second protective layer 14 maycover one or more electrical layers of the solar canopy material 10. Forexample, the electrical layers may comprise a layer comprising aplurality of LED elements 12 and/or a layer comprising one or morephotovoltaic elements 13. These layers may be separate layers securedrelative to one another via an adhesive material, or these electricalsystems may be incorporated into a single layer of the solar canopymaterial 10 secured relative to the first and/or second protectivelayers 11, 14 via an adhesive material.

In certain embodiments, the photovoltaic elements 13 (e.g., strips,patches, and/or the like) may be embedded within the solar canopymaterial 10 as an array of photovoltaic elements 13, and may beconfigured to collect sunlight. The photovoltaic elements 13 may thushave a collection side facing an outer side of the solar canopy material10. The photovoltaic elements 13 may be spaced apart from one anotherwithin the solar canopy material 10 as desired, such that sunlight isenabled to pass between the photovoltaic elements 13 and through thesolar canopy material 10. For example, the photovoltaic elements 13 maybe spaced at regular intervals within the solar canopy material 10.

The photovoltaic elements 13 may be electrically connected to conductorsembedded within the solar canopy material 10 configured to directelectricity away from the photovoltaic elements 13. In certainembodiments, the electricity may be directed to a storage device, suchas a battery and/or a UPS for later use by various portions of the AWGsystem, the plant growth habitat, and/or the like. In certainembodiments, the electricity may be provided as Direct Current (DC) forstorage and/or use. In certain embodiments, the generated DC electricitymay be provided to a power converter configured to convert the DCelectricity into Alternating Current (AC) energy for use by variouscomponents and/or to be supplied to a connected power grid.

As mentioned above, the solar canopy material 10 may additionallycomprise one or more embedded LEDs 12 connected within an LED arrayconfigured to emit light from and/or through at least a portion of thesolar canopy material 10. In certain embodiments, the embedded LEDs 12may be directed through an inner side of the solar canopy material 10(e.g., through a second protective layer 14), opposite the outer side ofthe solar canopy material 10, such that the LEDs 12 emit light throughthe inner side of the solar canopy material 10. In certain embodimentsthe LEDs may be aligned with the one or more photovoltaic elements 13and may be configured to emit light toward a back side of thephotovoltaic elements 13, such that the light reflects off of the backside of the photovoltaic elements and through the inner side of thesolar canopy 10. The LEDs 12 may additionally be connected to one ormore conductors (which may be provided in series with the photovoltaicelements 13, in parallel with the photovoltaic elements 13, or in aseparate circuit from the photovoltaic elements 13).

As yet another embodiment, various LEDs may be suspended from the solarcanopy 10. For example, LEDs may be suspended within a growth habitat ofan agricultural module 1000 surrounded by one or more solar canopies 10,such that the LEDs provide additional light to plants growing thereinfrom additional angles (e.g., proximate a growth medium in which theplants are growing).

In certain embodiments, the solar canopy material 10 may be embodied asseparate solar canopy panels having finished edges. The finished edgesmay comprise smooth edges configured to impede fraying and/or tearing.For example, the edges may be sewn, melted, and/or the like. In certainembodiments, the finished edges may comprise one or more grommets orother attachment mechanisms 15 proximate each of the finished edges. Theattachment mechanisms 15 may be configured to attach the solar canopypanels 10 relative to a frame 20 (e.g., via one or more fasteners 22secured relative to a mounting plate 21) and/or relative to adjacentsolar canopy panels 10. The attachment mechanisms 15 may be spaced adistance away from the finished edges (e.g., 1 inch) and may be spacedalong a line provided parallel with each of the finished edges. Incertain embodiments, attachment mechanisms 15 for adjacent solar canopypanels 10 may be configured for engagement therebetween, such thatadjacent solar canopy panels 10 may be joined via the one or morefastener mechanisms 15. In certain embodiments, the solar canopy panelsmay additionally comprise one or more electrical connection mechanisms16 configured to enable conductors of adjacent solar canopy panels 10 tobe connected in series. In certain embodiments, solar canopy panels 10may comprise a first set of electrical connectors 16 configured forconnecting conductors of the photovoltaic portion circuit for adjacentsolar canopy panels 10, and a second set of electrical connectors 16configured for connecting conductors of the LED lighting circuits foradjacent solar canopy panels 10.

The solar canopy panels 10 may additionally comprise one or more overlapflaps (not shown) configured to extend beyond the smooth finished edges.The overlap flaps extend beyond the attachment mechanisms 15, andprovide a sealing overlapped portion extending across a joint betweenadjacent and connected solar canopy panels 10. The sealing overlappedportion is configured to minimize the amount of air that can flowbetween adjacent and connected solar canopy panels 10, for example, toprevent air from escaping from the interior of a plant growth habitatenclosed with a plurality of connected solar canopy panels 10. Incertain embodiments, the sealing overlapped portion may comprise amaterial shared with remaining portions of the solar canopy panel 10.However, it should be understood that the sealing overlapped portion maycomprise a material different from the materials of the solar canopypanel 10. For example, the sealing overlapped portion may comprise atacky surface configured to detachably adhere to a surface of the solarcanopy panel 10 to provide additional sealing against undesirable airleakage from between the secured solar canopy panels 10.

In certain embodiments, the solar canopy material 10 may be configuredfor use with a translucent covering layer configured for permitting onlylow levels of light to pass to the solar canopy material. For example,the solar canopy material 10 may be utilized to underlay visualadvertisements, such as billboards having a printed, translucentadvertisement sheet placed over the solar canopy material. Thephotovoltaic elements 13 of the solar canopy material 10 may beconfigured to collect light as it is filtered through the overlaidadvertisement sheet.

Agricultural Module

The AWG system may be utilized to generate water and/or power to besupplied to an agricultural module, which may comprise a greenhouse,plant growth habitat, and/or other structure that may be utilized toencourage plant growth within controlled atmospheric conditions. FIGS.4-5 illustrates various embodiments of an agricultural module 1000 inassociation with an AWG system 100 housed within a shipping containeraccording to one embodiment. As shown in the figures, the agriculturalmodule 1000 may define a plant growth habitat having an at leastsubstantially rectangular shape, or a shape with a plurality of separatelobes (e.g., to form a star-shape, as shown in FIG. 5). In embodimentscomprising separate lobes, the volume within each lobe may be separatedfrom the remainder of the growth habitat, such that each lobe may beprovided with a unique growth environment (e.g., different temperatures,carbon dioxide levels, humidity levels, and/or the like) to fostergrowth of different agricultural products.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic detail view of a portion of a growth habitat ofan agricultural module 1000 according to one embodiment. The growthhabitat of the agricultural module 1000 may comprise one or morestackable structures 1001 each having one or more base portions 1002configured to support a growth medium (e.g., soil, a hydroponic support,and/or the like) one or more sidewalls and a ceiling. The stackablestructures 1001 may be suspended from support frames of the growthhabitat, may be stacked such that the support of an upper structure issupported by a lower structure, and/or the like. The one or moresidewalls and ceiling are configured to contain the controlledatmospheric conditions within the structure (e.g., environmental airhaving controlled oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, controlledtemperature, controlled humidity, and/or the like). The one or moresidewalls and ceiling may comprise a covering material, such as aflexible covering material, a rigid covering material, and/or the like.In certain embodiments, the covering material may comprise integratedgrowth lamps (e.g., light emitting diode growth lamps) and/or integratedelectrical circuitry and/or may be configured to enable natural sunlightto pass through the covering material to the contained environment. Incertain embodiments, the integrated growth lamps may be spaced atregular intervals throughout the flexible covering material, and may beelectrically connected relative to one another and/or relative to one ormore power sources via electrical circuitry. For example, in theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the covering material comprises asolar canopy 10 as discussed herein, with integrated LEDs 12 spacedacross the surface of the canopy 10.

In embodiments comprising flexible covering materials, the agriculturalmodule may comprise one or more rigid supports collectively forming arigid support frame for the flexible covering material.

In certain embodiments, the agricultural module 1000 may be embodied asa portable system that is configured to be quickly set up at a desiredagricultural site. The agricultural module 1000 may additionallycomprise one or more sensors 1003 that may be provided within the growthmedium of the growth habitat. These sensors may be embodied as a portionof a flexible bundle of electrical circuitry, including conductors,sensors, and/or the like that may be quickly deployed within a growthhabitat by unrolling the bundle onto a support surface of the growthhabitat before providing the growth medium therein. In certainembodiments, the various sensors may be electrically connected relativeto one another, relative to a control computing system 1004, and/orrelative to a power source via one or more conductors (e.g., flexibleconductors). The various sensors may comprise moisture sensors,temperature sensors, carbon dioxide content sensors, oxygen sensors,humidity sensors, and/or the like. It should be understood that certainof the described sensors may be configured for wireless datatransmission to a control computing system via one or more wirelesscommunication technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Internet of Things(IoT) technologies, and/or the like.

In certain embodiments, sensor outputs (e.g., indicative of measuredaspects of the environment within the growth habitat) may be utilized bythe control computing system 1004 to regulate the environmentalconditions within the growth habitat. For example, the control computingsystem 1004 may comprise data indicative of one or more targetenvironmental conditions, such as a target temperature, target carbondioxide content, and/or the like. Based on the monitored data outputfrom the various sensors 1003 within the growth habitat, the controlcomputing system 1004 is configured to compare the monitored data outputagainst the target environmental conditions, and may be configured toadjust water flows, carbon dioxide flows, and/or the like from the AWG100 into the growth habitat. For example, the control computing system1004 may be configured to automatically activate sprinkler (or dripirrigation) systems (which may be incorporated into the stackablestructures 1001) within the growth habitat to water the plants withinthe growth habitat in response to predetermined conditions; to increaseand/or decrease the amount of carbon dioxide flowing into the growthhabitat from carbon dioxide capture systems of the AWG system 100,and/or the like.

Moreover, the growth habitat may comprise one or more automated plantingand harvesting mechanisms configured to autonomously plant seeds for newplants, and/or to automatically harvest fruits and/or vegetables grownwithin the growth habitat (this includes the use of agricultural robotsand drones).

For example, seed planting/management may be provided via a plantingprobe 1010 operable to move along a grid/track system 1011 elevatedabove a support surface of the growth habitat. In certain embodiments,the grid/track system 1011 may be raised and/or lowered via a supportmechanism (e.g., a pneumatic and/or hydraulic support mechanism). Theplanting probe 1010 may be operable in response to signals received fromthe control computing system 1004, which comprises data indicative of aninternal mapping of the planting medium and/or base portions 1002 withinthe growth habitat. The control computing system 1004 additionallycomprises data indicative of a desired crop, crop spacing, and/or thelike for planting within the growth habitat, and may provide movementsignals to the planting probe 1010 to insert seeds into the plantingmedium according to a desired planting plan.

The planting probe 1010 itself may comprise a hopper 1012 configured tohold a volume of seed, and an insertion probe 1013 (e.g., a wedge shapedinsertion probe) configured to inject seed at an appropriate depthwithin the planting medium (as determined by the control computingsystem 1004). The planting probe 1010 additionally comprises a movementmechanism (e.g., one or more motors) configured to move the plantingprobe 1010 along the track/grid to plant seeds within the plantingmedium. Moreover, the planting probe 1010 may be configured toperiodically return to a refill position within the growth habitat toretrieve additional seed within the included hopper 1012. The refillposition may be positioned within the growth habitat, proximate a fillchute containing additional seed that may be selectably provided to theplanting probe 1010 as needed. In certain embodiments, the fill chutemay be embodied as a container supported (e.g., suspended) above themovement path of the planting probe, such that the planting probe 1010may move below the fill chute to be refilled by gravitational forcemoving the seed from the fill chute into the planting probe 1010.Moreover, in certain embodiments the fill chute may comprise anactuatable feed door (e.g., a servo-actuated feed door) configured toopen and allow a flow of seed out of the feed chute in response to asignal received from the control computing system 1004. Thus, when theplanting probe 1010 is positioned beneath the feed chute, the controlcomputing system 1004 may be configured to open the feed door to enableseed to flow from the feed chute to the planting probe 1010. Once anappropriate amount of seed has been provided to the planting probe 1010,the control computing system 1004 may transmit a second signal causingthe feed door to close.

The planting probe 1010 may additionally comprise a harvesting mechanismthat may be detachably secured relative to the movable planting probe1010. The harvesting mechanism may comprise a mechanically movablecutting/picking arm 1014 and a holding basket/tray 1015. Once theplanting probe 1010 receives signals from the control computing system1004 to initiate the harvest process, the planting probe 1010 mayprocess to pick and/or cut produce/plants from the various plants withinthe growth habitat, and to deposit the cut produce/plants into theholding basket/tray 1015. Once the holding basket/tray 1015 is full, theplanting probe 1010 may return to a docking position, where the holdingbasket/tray 1015 may deposit the harvested items into a retention cratethat may be removed from the growth habitat. Moreover, in certainembodiments the retention crate may comprise one or more level sensorsconfigured to monitor the amount of harvested items within the retentioncrate to avoid the retention crate from overflowing. Upon detecting thatthe retention crate fill level is above a threshold level, the controlcomputing system 1004 may be configured to transmit a signal to theplanting probe 1010 to suspend harvesting operations until the retentioncrate is emptied.

Although described above in reference to a track-based planting andharvesting probe configuration, various embodiments may be configured toplant seeds and/or harvest produce via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)comprising a planting probe and/or a harvesting probe having aconfiguration similar to that described above. The UAV may beautonomous, and may be configured to navigate the interior of the growthhabitat according to a defined planting plan. In certain embodiments,the planting plan may define a map of locations of intended seedplantings, such that the autonomous UAV may be configured toautonomously navigate between the plurality of intended seed plantinglocations to deposit seeds within the growth medium.

The autonomous UAV may additionally comprise a harvesting probeconfiguration similar to that described herein. The UAV with theharvesting probe configuration may be configured to autonomouslynavigate the interior of the growth habitat to harvest produce growntherein.

The irrigation system of the growth habitat may be embodied as one ormore tubes that may be connected to water distribution mechanisms, suchas spraying-style sprinklers, drip-irrigation tubes, and/or the like.The tubes may comprise a plastic, flexible tubing and may be embodied asa self-healing material configured to self-seal cracks, cuts, and/orpunctures through the tube walls. These tubes may be connected to awater outlet of a condensation system of the AWG system, a water holdingtank of the AWG system, and/or the like.

Moreover, the irrigation system may comprise a fertilizer supplymechanism configured to automatically mix a metered quantity offertilizer (e.g., a liquid fertilizer) into water supplied to theirrigation system. The fertilizer supply mechanism may be in electroniccommunication with the control computing system 1004, which may beconfigured to provide signals to the fertilizer supply mechanism tomodify the amount of liquid fertilizer introduced into the water stream.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to oneskilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefitof the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that thedisclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosedand that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense onlyand not for purposes of limitation.

In certain embodiments, various portions of the AWG system may beenclosed within one or more shipping containers that may be easilytransported as modular system components to desired operating locations.For example, the air preconditioning system may be enclosed within afirst container, and one or more water consolidation systems (e.g., asingle-stage batch water consolidation system and/or a continuous waterconsolidation system) may be enclosed within a second shippingcontainer, with various ports/inlets extending through walls of theshipping containers to enable connection with one or more geothermalcooling systems, solar heating systems, high-pressure gas inputs, and/orthe like. In certain embodiments, one or more condensation systems,water storage tanks, and/or the like may be embodied within a thirdstorage container. However, it should be understood that certainembodiments may be configured such that the entirety of the AWG systemmay be enclosed within a single storage container, with one or moreports/inlets extending through walls thereof to enable interaction withaspects of the surrounding environment (e.g., air inlets/exhausts, highpressure gas inlets, solar heating inlets/outlets, geothermal coolinginlets/outlets, and/or the like).

That which is claimed:
 1. An atmospheric water generation systemcomprising: a water vapor consolidation system configured to consolidatewater vapor into a controlled air stream, the water vapor consolidationsystem comprising: an atmospheric air intake mechanism defining anatmospheric air stream between an air intake and an air exhaust; acontrolled air circulation mechanism defining an air circulation loop,wherein the air circulation loop is separated from the atmospheric airstream; and a fluid desiccant circulation loop defining a closeddesiccant circulation loop for a fluid desiccant, wherein the closeddesiccant circulation loop intersects the atmospheric air stream and theclosed air circulation loop to extract water vapor from the atmosphericair stream and to evaporate water vapor into the air circulation loop;and a condenser positioned within the air circulation loop andconfigured to condense water vapor from the air circulation loop intoliquid water and to collect the liquid water.
 2. The atmospheric watergeneration system of claim 1, wherein the fluid desiccant circulationloop comprises at least one desiccant column configured to contact thefluid desiccant with at least one of the atmospheric air stream and theair circulation loop.
 3. The atmospheric water generation system ofclaim 2, wherein the desiccant column is configurable between: anabsorption configuration in which the atmospheric air stream flowsthrough the desiccant column to contact the liquid desiccant such thatthe liquid desiccant absorbs water vapor from the atmospheric airstream; and an evaporation configuration in which the air circulationloop flows through the desiccant column to contact the liquid desiccantsuch that water evaporates from the liquid desiccant into the aircirculation loop.
 4. The atmospheric water generation system of claim 3,wherein the fluid desiccant circulation loop additionally comprises aliquid desiccant cooling mechanism configured to cool the liquiddesiccant flowing through the desiccant column and a liquid desiccantheating mechanism configured to heat the liquid desiccant flowingthrough the desiccant column; and wherein the fluid desiccant solutionflows through the liquid desiccant cooling mechanism and the fluiddesiccant heating mechanism is deactivated while the desiccant column isin the absorption configuration; and the fluid desiccant solution flowsthrough the liquid desiccant heating mechanism and the fluid desiccantcooling mechanism is deactivated while the desiccant column is in theevaporation configuration.
 5. The atmospheric water generation system ofclaim 4, wherein the liquid desiccant cooling mechanism comprises ageothermal cooling mechanism.
 6. The atmospheric water generation systemof claim 4, wherein the liquid desiccant heating mechanism comprises asolar heating mechanism.
 7. The atmospheric water generation system ofclaim 3, further comprising a desiccant fluid swing tank configured toretain at least a portion of the liquid desiccant while the liquiddesiccant absorbs water vapor.
 8. The atmospheric water generationsystem of claim 1, wherein the fluid desiccant circulation loopcomprises an absorption desiccant column and an evaporation desiccantcolumn, wherein: the absorption desiccant column is configured tocontact the fluid desiccant with the atmospheric air stream; and theevaporation desiccant column is configured to contact the fluiddesiccant with the air circulation loop.
 9. The atmospheric watergeneration system of claim 8, wherein the fluid desiccant circulationloop additionally comprises: a liquid desiccant cooling mechanismlocated between the evaporation desiccant column and the absorptiondesiccant column and upstream of the absorption desiccant column,wherein the liquid desiccant cooling mechanism is configured to lowerthe temperature of the liquid desiccant flowing through the absorptiondesiccant column; and a liquid desiccant heating mechanism locatedbetween the absorption column and the evaporation column, wherein theliquid desiccant heating mechanism is configured to heat the temperatureof the liquid desiccant flowing through the evaporation desiccantcolumn.
 10. The atmospheric water generation system of claim 9, whereinthe liquid desiccant cooling mechanism comprises a geothermal coolingmechanism.
 11. The atmospheric water generation system of claim 9,wherein the liquid desiccant heating mechanism comprises a solar heatingmechanism.
 12. The atmospheric water generation system of claim 8,further comprising a membrane desorption system, wherein the membranedesorption system comprises a porous membrane separating the fluiddesiccant circulation loop on a first side of the porous membrane from aliquid water circulation loop on a second side of the porous membrane,and wherein the membrane desorption system is configured to migratewater from the fluid desiccant circulation loop through the membrane tothe liquid water circulation loop.
 13. The atmospheric water generationsystem of claim 12, wherein the membrane desorption system is locatedbetween the absorption column and the evaporation column such that theliquid desiccant circulation loop moves from the absorption column,through the membrane desorption system, and into the evaporation column.14. The atmospheric water generation system of claim 1, furthercomprising a carbon dioxide capture system configured to remove carbondioxide gas from the atmospheric air stream.
 15. The atmospheric watergeneration system of claim 1, wherein the fluid desiccant comprises atleast one of aqueous lithium chloride or aqueous calcium chloride.
 16. Amethod for condensing water vapor from atmospheric air into liquidwater, the method comprising: flowing atmospheric air into contact witha rich liquid desiccant solution such that the liquid desiccant solutionabsorbs water vapor from the atmospheric air to dilute the liquiddesiccant solution; flowing a closed air stream into contact with thediluted liquid desiccant solution such that water vapor evaporates fromthe diluted liquid desiccant solution into the closed air stream tocreate the rich liquid desiccant solution and to increase the humidityof the closed air stream; after increasing the humidity of the closedair stream, flowing the closed air stream through a condenser tocondense water vapor within the closed air stream into liquid water; andcollecting the liquid water condensed from the closed air stream. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising steps for: before contactingthe atmospheric air with the rich desiccant solution, cooling at leastone of the atmospheric air and the rich desiccant solution.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising steps for: before contacting theclosed air stream with the diluted liquid desiccant solution, heatingthe diluted liquid desiccant solution.
 19. The method of claim 16,wherein: flowing the atmospheric air into contact with the rich liquiddesiccant solution comprises flowing the atmospheric air and the richliquid desiccant solution into an absorption column; and flowing theclosed air stream into contact with the diluted liquid desiccantsolution comprises flowing the closed air stream and the diluted liquiddesiccant solution into an evaporation column; and wherein the dilutedliquid desiccant solution flows along a desiccant loop between theabsorption column and the evaporation column.
 20. The method of claim19, wherein the desiccant loop comprises a plurality of flow valvesconfigured to selectably change the flow of the liquid desiccantsolution, and wherein: flowing the atmospheric air and the rich liquiddesiccant solution into an absorption column comprises flowing freshatmospheric air through the absorption column and closing at least onevalve to prevent liquid desiccant solution from flowing through theevaporation column; and flowing the closed air stream into contact withthe diluted liquid desiccant solution comprises flowing the closed airstream through the evaporation column and closing at least one valve toprevent liquid desiccant solution from flowing through the absorptioncolumn.